Prayers for 18th May

Today’s thoughts are provided by Rev. Kofi Amissah

The month of May is known as ‘Kɔtɔnimma’ (baby crabs), among the Twi speaking people of Ghana. The sunshine, dew and irregular rain in April created a conducive environment for hatching of crab eggs laid in March. Thus, by the first week of May, there are abundance of newly hatched crabs along the banks of rivers, streams, and brooks. Thus, the month of May becomes a month of new life as these baby crabs are hatched to begin their life. Also, water bodies are expected to fill up and possibly overflow their banks as the major rainy season begins. This will definitely rejuvenate the existing life in these water bodies and support new life. Again, May is the month when farmers of cash crops, such as cocoa and coffee, nurse their hope for bumper harvest as their crops begin to ripen. This also brings new life into their finances and hope for a secured economic future.

New life and hope of a secured economic, health and a flourishing social future is exactly what the world needs as we battle COVID-19. We all pray and hope for a new life, a new beginning, and a new way of doing things when COVID-19 is defeated. This is exactly what Paul assures us, that through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, God gave us new life, even when we were dead in sin. God’s grace has saved us (Ephesians 2:5). Indeed, God has and continues to give us new life through Jesus Christ.

So, let us pray that the new life in Christ that God has given us will manifest by ending the COVID-19 pandemic and helping us to live a new life that will reflect what we have learnt during this pandemic.

Pray for new life for all those who are ill because of COVID-19 and for total healing for them.

Pray for new life in our churches, circuits, the Wales Synod together with Synod Cymru and the Methodist Church. Pray that this new life will include spiritual and numerical growth.

Pray for new life in our homes, families, and communities. Pray that this new life will spread through Wales, the United Kingdom, and the world over. Let there be new life.